A dietary supplement is intended to supply nutrients (vitamins, minerals, fatty acids or amino acids) that are missing or not consumed in sufficient quantity in a person’s diet. This may include herbal supplements which have a history of claims that they cure or prevent certain diseases. The medical utility and regulatory status of dietary supplements is controversial.

Some dietary supplements have been marketed as claiming to affect hair growth. There are a few old wives’ tales floating around that eating certain foods can reduce your hair growth. These rumors have never been proven with testing. Recently, some people have suggested that eating a meat tenderizer called papain or another called bromelain can reduce hair growth. These rumors have no basis in clinical research and should be disregarded. There are no published clinical data to back up claims that certain foods, over-the-counter medications, vitamins or other preparations taken by mouth can slow or stop hair growth.

The only oral products that have demontrated they can affect hair growth are prescription oral medications.

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